Liege Bastogne Liege: No Luck for the Irish

Clearly this title is a play on the expression, "the luck of the Irish."  Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) - an Irish racer - had his team doing all of the chasing in hopes of a dramatic finish on the day.  On the final climb he kept attacking to bridge across to the lone escapee, only to be pulled back by the rest of the select group.  To add insult to that injury, he had a poorly timed flat front tire that required help from the Mavic neutral service vehicle.  While the mechanic was quite fast, with just eight kilometers left, it was clear to Martin, that it wasn't going to be his day again.  At one point during the wheel change, you could see him pound his helmet in frustration (not at the mechanic) knowing that his team's hard work would come to naught.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3151258-428-195767/PaintingNo-Luck-for-the-Irish--LBL18-8.html

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Extremely Fast

The young Irishman Ryan Mullen may have surprised even himself.  Like some of the other time trials this week, he went early in the day and posted the new best time at the end of his 40+ kilometer ride.  He rolled down the ramp after only twelve other riders had taken to the course.  So, he might have a long wait in the hot seat, before the big names start coming in towards the end of the day.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864416-33-227958/PaintingExtremely%20Fast%20Doha33-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5k6OArLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Swinging Pass Robert

The original break of three changed members and grew with only Jose Luis Rodriguez of Chile left from the first attackers.  Now it is a Colombian, Jhonatan Restrepo tacked onto the back of Eddie Dunbar's wheel, proceed by Gregory Daniel (Team USA).  Leading them all around the statue to Robert E Lee is the Kazakhstan, Oleg Zemlyakov.  Much was made of the wrong-ness of keeping the statues to those who fought on the side of the American Civil War that was pro-slavery.  But then if one removes all evidence of their history, they are doomed to repeat it.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  These paintings are created live while watching the races through a feed provided by the Richmond 2015 Worlds organization.  For two more days, you will be able to watch me create the works live at the Fanfest area at 5th and Marshall Streets near the finish line.  You can also purchase either the originals or one of two different sizes of prints while you are there, or later at www.richmond.com.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Motoring

After hearing this rider's name, Michael O'Loughlin, it left little doubt that he was in Richmond to ride for Ireland.  O'Loughlin is flying down West Main Street about to enter the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.  VCU is wear I gain my artist education so it seems fitting that I get to paint cycling riding through the streets of my alma mater.

This is a small original painting that was create using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  I am painting these works live at the Greater Richmond Convention Center right next to the awards podium.  You can come out to the Fanfest in the GRCC and watch me paint and then buy the original or one of two different sized prints.  Later they will be able to purchased at www.richmond.com.

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Wearing the Green

Ryan Mullen of Team Ireland, had the advantage of being the penultimate rider to circumnavigate the 30 kilometer course due to his claiming silver on Ponferrada, Spain last year.  Unfortunately, his favored status forced him to race in deteriorating conditions.  As the afternoon wore on, the heavy grey skies finally drizzled cold rain on the speeding time trialist and the winds continued to blow harder.  Without the worsening weather Mullen may have been able to trade his silver for gold, instead he missed the podium altogether.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The paintings are for sale each day at the Downtown Fanfest in the Greater Richmond Convention Center at 5th and Marshall Streets in Richmond, VA.  There are originals and two different sizes of prints being offered for sale starting at $20.00 USD. Eventually, they will be available through www.richmond.com.

Tour Down Under: The Chase Is On, Final Stage

Team Sky decided it was time to go get the three man break away before they grabbed the bonus seconds from the first intermediate sprint.  Their man, Richie Porte, started the day in 4th place needing to gain only four seconds to get on to the final podium.  Surprisingly, after two laps they hadn't put anytime into the trio up the road so they threw in the towel.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist web site at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2299299---194179/Painting.html#.UuXGm8so7IU

Tour Stage Nine: Finishing It Off

Dan Martin successfully out foxed and out sprinted Jakob Fuglsang to finish off the aggressive tactics of Garmin Sharp with the two finishing 20 seconds ahead of the group of the yellow jersey.  Martin became the second Irishman to every win a stage in the Grande Boucle, the last in 1992 by his uncle Stephen Roche.  Roche's son (and Martin's cousin) is also in the Tour riding for Saxo Tinkoff but cracked on the final climb after working for his team leader, Alberto Contrador.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link to get your artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France and Irish cycling history.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2179491---186227/Painting.html#.UeS1WMvD_IU

Tour Stage Nine: Driving to Town and the Stage

When Dan Martin went everyone in the peloton let him go except Jakob Fuglsang of Astana, the two joined forces on the descent, dropped into the most aerodynamic positions and drove as hard and as fast as they could towards the town of Bagneres-de-Bigorre and for one of them a stage victory.  In interviews after the stage each said that a solo break would not have held off the peloton, so their working together made sense until the last kilometer of the stage.  Dan Martin became the first Irishman to win a Tour de France Stage since is uncle did in 1992 (and his uncle went on to win the Tour that year).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2179479---186227/Painting.html#.UeS0ZcvD_IU